Forgotten survivors

of conflict

Overcoming trauma - rebuilding communities

Network for Africa works with communities torn apart by war and genocide. We help the forgotten survivors of African conflicts left behind by the world after the fighting stops and the humanitarian aid moves on. We train survivors in specialised trauma counselling so they can help each other tackle the long-term psychological consequences that often block recovery. We also help rebuild lives with access to education, health and the means to support themselves.

In 1900, 90% of war casualties were soldiers. Now, 90% of casualties are civilians. In modern warfare, aggressors know they can destroy a society by raping women and forcing children to be soldiers. When the conflict ends, deep psychological scars remain, blocking people's best efforts to rebuild their lives.

In Uganda, the Lord’s Resistance Army unleashed a reign of terror lasting more than 20 years. 30,000 children were forced to become child soldiers and nearly two million people were herded into squalid refugee camps.
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Just like soldiers experiencing shell shock, survivors are paralysed by psychological trauma and struggle to rebuild their lives and their communities. Their daily surroundings present triggers that plunge them into post-traumatic stress and depression. Network for Africa's psychologists provide training in trauma counselling skills so that community members can help other trauma victims, building a network of support that spreads from community to community.

The 1994 Rwandan genocide left up to one million dead and 400,000 children orphaned. Half a million women and girls were raped, and many became infected with HIV. A third of households are now headed by women, 80% of whom live in extreme poverty.
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Many of Rwanda’s genocide orphans and Uganda’s child soldiers were deprived of their education. Network for Africa’s Rwanda Multi Learning Centre and Uganda Lioness Education Fund give them the chance to complete their schooling and start their lives once more.
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During conflict and genocide, women and girls suffer disproportionately. Rape is used as a weapon of war and subjugation. Without education and employment opportunities, many women are forced into prostitution. Network for Africa’s projects empower and teach skills to such women, raising their confidence and status.

Having reliable and constant access to nutritious food is essential to rebuilding shattered communities. Network for Africa works with global grassroots organisation Slow Food in Uganda to reintroduce lost agricultural skills and provide sustainable and healthy food sources.

One legacy of conflict is a rise in HIV-AIDS, due to systematic rape. With clinics destroyed, Network for Africa is filling the gap, offering counselling, condoms and other health and hygiene training.
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